29 January 2010, 23:10
Kadyrov's version of Berezovsky's role in Estemirova's murder criticized in Chechnya
The statement of President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov about Boris Berezovsky's involvement in the murder of Natalia Estemirova, an employee of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" caused bewilderment in Natalia's friends and colleagues.
President of Chechnya has stated that "Estemirova's murder was provoked by those who had killed Politkovskaya and Litvinenko.
He has also reminded that the murder of his father - former head of Chechnya Ahmat Kadyrov, who perished in a terror act in May 2004 - remains unopened.
However Estemirova's friends and colleagues believe that Kadyrov's charges moved against Berezovsky are absurd and have no grounds.
"Accusing Berezovsky of Natasha's murder is complete absurdity and nonsense," said one of close friends of the perished human rights defender. "What did it give him (Berezovsky, - comment of the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent)? It's that this is a far-fetched charge with the aim to divert the inquiry away from real organizers of this crime."
One of Estemirova's colleagues also believes that Kadyrov's version about Berezovsky's hand in this murder is beneath any criticism: "We perfectly know that Natasha's activity had caused extreme discontent in Kadyrov, he and his retinue spoke negatively about Natasha and the work of the 'Memorial' as a whole, and threatened her."
Author: Alexander Ivanov Source: CK correspondent
